Sinker guide for knitting machines



y 1946. w. LARKI 2,403,864

SINKER GUIDE FOR KNIT IING MACHINES Filed Aug. 18, 1945 Patented July 9, 1946 mesne assignments, to Fidelity Machine Com-. pany, Inc., Philadelphia, 2a., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 18, 1945, Serial N0..611,3l.9

13 Claims. (01'. 66 107) p This invention relates to circular knitting machinesffor knitting fine gage sheer hosiery and the like, and more particularly to the sinkers and the stitch ring structure which supports the sinkers in radial angularly spaced relation to each other and with respect to the axis of the knitting cylinder.

The principal object of the invention is to. provide a fabricated stitch ring embodying individ-. ual interchangeable .partition'wallsv and complementary componentelementswhich will afford adequate support and retain the sinkers in true vertical planes radiating from the axis of the needle cylinder, whereby uniformity of stitch\ throughout the wholeof the product knitted on the machine will prevail. e

Another object of the invention is to construct the interchangeable partitions in a manner to afford smooth surfaces thereon adjacent the intervening sinkersto discourage accumulation of lint, etc. between the sinkers and the partitions.

In the accompanyin drawing I i Fig. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical'sectional view through the needle cylinder and sinker mechanism of a circular knitting machine as constructed in accordance with the present invention; I I

Fig. 2 is a still further'enlarged fragmentary plan view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, with the sinker cam ring removed, as would be viewed along the line 2 2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on'the line 33, Fig. 1;

, partitionsor walls [5 each of which is mounted axially. of. th needlecylinder.

dial arms 5, 5 is a stationary sinker ring 6 having radial grooves l, l for slidably supporting the outer blade-likeends 'B-andthe cam lugs 9 of the sinker-s10, l0.

' The inner blade-like ends ll, of the sinkers II], II). rest upon} and are supported by the upper surfaceof a stitch Iririg. l2, which is diametrically reduc'edj and externally threaded at it's lower end 13 1 to, fit withinand cooperateuwith internal end ofthe needle oylirider'l. Y

The sinkers l9, H] are disposed in radialvertical planes by and between vertically extending threads of a 'counterbore l4 formed in the upper in a vertical radial slot [6 formed in an annular flange l'lof the stitch ring [2.

- Each of the partitions i5 is provided with a toe IBunderlying an overhanging solid portion I9,

which forms an annular shoulder on the flange I], at the inner end or base of each of the slots 16, to keepthepartitions l5irom moving upwardly, i. e.

, Each of the partitions .l 5 isalso provided with a rectangular recess. 2 at, its lower outer corner to receive a clamp ringfZll which encircles the entire complement of partitionsand holds them against radially outward displacement in the slots I 6, with respect to the axis of the needle cylinder I.

. tending nose 22 which overhangs the upper end of view ofa portion of the stitch ring wall or partition clamp, and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary form of the invention.

As shownin 'Fig. l,-; the needle plan view of a modiflefd or time cylinder l is provided with circumferentially spaced grooves orchannels 2 formed in or otherwise provided on the ;outer peripheral surface of the cyl'- inder parallel to the axis thereof, for the reception: 7 .of longitudinally reciprocable needles 3, 3 respec- 7 Supported on andby the flange 4, through rae Each partition l5,'in addition to the aforesaid toe and recess, isprovided with an inwardly exthe stitch ring l2, in vertically spaced relation I thereto, and rests in a. radial groove-23 formed in the top side of asinker retaining ring 25, the lower side of which rests on the top edges ,of the inner blade-like ends I l, l l: of the sinkers I0, In, Wherebythese inner blade endsof the sinkers are kept from rising, in operation,"while they are permitted to slide freely ,in' and out radially with respect to the axis of the knitting cylinder l.

The outerblade-like .ends8; 8 of the sinkers I0, I 0 are similarly held against rising from the bases of the grooves 'l of thesinkerring 6 by the under side of the horizontal top portion 29 of the sinker cam rin 30 which is provided with a-cam groove ;2B' 'into which the ca'mlugs 9 of; the sinkers 10 project, and by which the sinkers are moved in .and out radially with respect to theaxis of the needle Cylinder 5 w The sinker cam ring 3 0 is provided with a ,depending v annular flange 21 which encircles the outer peripheral face of thesinker ring 6, on which 7 the cam ring 30' is-concentrically mounted for relative rotation and oscillation during the knitting on the a hin f n e p faf nd t.

and toe and heel, respectively of a full length ladys stocking or mans sock.

Each sinker I is, in its outer or back edge, provided with an undercut recess 3| for reception of an encircling elastic band, such as an endless coil spring 32, by which the sinkers l0, H) are constantly urged radially :inward.

Each sinker II] is provided on its inner edge with a yarn sinking and fabric holding horizontal notch 33 which cooperates with the needles 2 in the formation of the stitch wales and courses of the knitted fabric; and below this notch each sinker has a fabric supporting edge 34 formed on a nose 35, between the lower edge of which and the upper edge of the blade end II the sinker is recessedhorizontally at 36 to span the sinker retaining ring 2-5.

In order to enter the spaces between adjacent knitting needles 2, 2 of fine gage machines which produce sheer fabrics, theinner portion Illa comprising, approximately one ;half of the full length stability the outerthalf lb of each sinker 10 is .5) of the opposite side'faces of the outer vertical marginal edge of each partition I5 is provided with a raised pad portion [5a, l5a which transversely thicken these "marginal portions of the partitions [5 with respect to the inner plate portions 15b .of said partitions to an extent wherein the thickened marginal edges l5a substantially fill the spaces between, and function to act as guides for, adjacent thin portions Hla of the sinkers H1, from the back faces of the .needles to a radial depth substantially equal to the thickness of the .clamp ring 20, as shown in Fig. '2. When the two pads l5a, 15a are employed the opposite side faces I50, 150 of the marginal portions l5a, |5a are preferably convergent to 'make flat full-width sliding contact with the adjacent parallel side faces Illa, l 00 of thethin plate portions l0a "of the sinkers l0.

Due to the radial lconvergency of the partitions 115i and sinkers ID, the inner ends or edges of the noses 22 of the partitions 1 5 are spaced apart laterally to ,just a sufi'lcient distance to permit the noses of the sinkers Hi to slide comfortably therebetween and thus "the inner ends of the partition noses 22 function as stabilizing guides for the sinkers during radial reciprocation thereof to prevent deflection of .the thin portions of the sinkers from their prescribed paths of movement.

It will be noted that the thickened marginal portions I50, of the partitions I5 lie directly behind and are parallel and adjacent to the backs of the needles '3, 3; and that they engage the Lthinportions I lla of the sinkers immediately adjacent the needles 3, v3 along substantially the full lengths of those-portions oi-the needles which project above the top surface vof the needle cylinder substantially up to the horizontal plane of the yarn sinking and 'fabric holding notches 33 of the sinkers, so that the "sinkers are maintained against lateral flexing and in parallel relation to the needles, and, that the needles are prevented from being excessively deflected radially inward, thus these cooperating stitch forming instrumentali-ties are held in definite operating -relationship at all times which insures uniout the whole of the knitted -structure.

Preferably the partitions ii are finished to provide smooth surface all over each partition, as by tumbling, to remove all tool marks and excessively sharp edges, etc., which would tend to collect lint, thus the spaces between the sinkers and the partitions are always substantially free of lint, thus avoiding the formation of marks in the fabric which normally arise from accumulations of lint between the sinkers and their guides.

In the drawing it has been necessary to exaggerate the clearances between the partitions and sinkers for the sake of clarity of illustration, thus it will be understood that the drawing is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as placing any limitations on the scope of the appended claims insofar as dimensions, tolerances and clearances are concerned. v

I claim: v

1.. A knitting'machine structure comprising a knitting cylinder, ;a plurality of needles circumferentially spaced around and operable axially of "said cylinder, a plurality of sinkers operable "in planes radial to the axis of said cylinder between said needles, a radially slotted ring on the upper end of said, cylinder, a plurality of interchangeable partitions between said sinkers in radial planes coincident with said "needles and mounted at their lower ends "in the "radial slots of said ring, and aclamp ring concentric to said grooved ring and engaging said lower ends of said partitions to secure said "partitions rigidly in said radial slots against radial displacement therefrom.

2. A knitting machine structure comprising a knitting cylinder, a plurality of needles circumferentially spaced around and operable axially of said cylinder, 'a plurality of sinkers operable in planes radial to the axis of said cylinder between said needles, a radially slotted ring on the upper end of said cy'lin'den a plurality of interchangeable partiti ons between said sinkers in radial planes coincident with said needles and mounted at their lower ends in the radial slots of said ring, a clamp ring concentric to said grooved ring and engaging said lower ends of said partitions to secure said partitions rigidly in said radial slots against radial displacement therefrom, an annular shoulder on said slotted ring adjacent the bases of the slots therein, and a toe on each partition underlying said shoulder to prevent axial displacement of said partitions relative to said'ring.

3. A knitting machine structure comprising a knitting cylinder, 'a plurality of needles circumferentially spaced around and operable axially of said cylinder, a plurality of sinkers operable in planes radial to the axis of said cylinder between said needles, a radially slotted ring on the upper end of said cylinder, a plurality of interchangeable partitions between said sinkers in radial planes coincident with said needles and mounted at their lower ends in the radial slots of said ring, a clamp ring concentric to said grooved ring and "engaging said lower ends or" said partitions to secure said partitions rigidly in said radial slots against radial displacement therefrom, an annular shoulder on s'aidslotted ring adjacent-the bases of the slots therein, a toe on each partition underlying said shoulder to prevent axial displacement of said partitions relative 'to said ring, a blade-like end on each sinker extending between adjacent partitions, 'a retaining ring resting on the upper edges of the blade-like-endsof said sinkers, and noses onsaid partitions overhanging and contactin the'upper side of said retaining ring.

4 :l A,k1'llttmg machine structure comprising a knitting cylinder, a plurality of'needles circuma clamp ring concentric to said grooved ring and engaging said lower ends of said partitions to secure said partitions rigidly in said radial slots against radial displacement therefrom, an annular shoulder on said slotted ring adjacent the bases of the slots therein, a toe on each partition underlying said shoulder to prevent axial displacement of saidpartitions relative to said ring, ablade-like end on each sinker extending between adjacent partitions, a retaining ring resting on the upper edges of the blade-like ends of said sinkers, and noses on said partitions overhanging and contacting the upper side of said retaining ring, said noses being disposed in circumferentially spaced grooves formed in said upper side of said sinker retaining ring.

5. A knitting machine structure comprising a knitting cylinder, a plurality of needles circumferentially spaced around and operable axially of said cylinder, a plurality of sinkers operable in planes radial to the axis of said cylinder between said'needles, a radially slotted ring on the upper end of said cylinder, a plurality of interchangeable partitions between said sinkers in radial I planes coincident with said needles and mounted at their lower ends in the radial slots of said ring, a clamp ring concentric to said grooved ring and engaging said lower ends of said partitions to secure said partitions rigidly in said radial slots against radial displacement therefrom, an annular shoulder on said slotted ring adjacent the bases of the slots therein, a toe on each partition underlying said shoulder to prevent axial displacement of said partitions relative to said ring, a blade-like end on each sinker extending between adjacent partitions, a retaining ring resting on the upper edges of the blade-like ends of said sinkers, and noses on said partitions overhanging and contacting the upper side of said retaining ring, said noses being disposed in circumferentially spaced grooves formed in said upper side of said sinker retaining ring, and said partitions being thickened along marginal edges thereof adjacent said needles to afford sliding bearing surfaces forsaid sinkers on said partition.

6. A knitting machine structure comprising a knitting cylinder, a plurality of needles circumferentially spaced around and operable axially of said cylinder, a plurality of sinkers operable in planes radial to the axis of said cylinder between said needles, a plurality of interchangeable partitions between said sinkers in radial planes coincident with said needles, and thickening pads along the marginal edges of said partitions adjapartitions between said sinkers in radial planes coincident with saidneedles, and thickened marginal edges' on said partitions adjacent said needles, and" radially converging bearing faces on said thickened edges-and making flat sliding contact with adjacent faces of said sinkers.

-8. Aknitting machine structure comprising a' knitting cylinder, a plurality of needles circumferentially spaced around and operable axially of said cylinder, a plurality of sinkers operable in planes radial to the axis of said cylinder between said needles, a plurality of interchangeable partitions between said sinkers in radial planes coincident With said needles, said sinkers being of predetermined thickness throughout an outer portion thereof lying radially outward beyond said needles and of a relatively lesser thickness throughout an inner portion radiallylinward of said thicker portion and extending between said needles and said partitions, means slidablysupporting said thicker outer portions of said sinkers outwardly beyond said needles, and means supporting said thinner inner portions of said sinkers inwardly of said needles.

9. A knitting machine structure comprising a knitting cylinder, a plurality of needles circumferentially spaced around and operable axially of said cylinder, a plurality of sinkers operable in planes radial to the axis of said cylinder'between said needles, a plurality of interchangeable partitions between said sinkers in radial planes coincident with said needles, said sinkers being of predetermined thickness throughout an outer portion thereof lying radially outward beyond said needles and of a relatively lesserthickness throughout an inner portion radially inward of said thicker portion and extending between said needles and said partitions, means slidably supporting said thicker outer portions of said sinkpartition adjacent one vertical marginal edge cent said needles and arranged to make sliding,

contact with said sinkers.

7. A knitting machine structure comprising knitting cylinder, a plurality of needles circumferentially spaced around and operable axially of portion thereof. 1

11. A sinker partition for use in a circular knitting machine between adjacent sinkers thereof, said partition being of predetermined thickness throughout a major portion of its total area, and a relatively thicker portion on each partition adjacent one vertical marginal edge .portion thereof, and provided with converging opposite side surfaces for contact with adjacent sinker surfaces respectively.

12. A sinker partition for use in a circular knitting machine between adjacent sinkers thereof, said partition being of predetermined thickness throughout a major portion of its total area, and a relatively thicker portion on each partition adjacent one vertical marginaledge portion thereof; and provided with converging opposite side surfaces for contact with adjacent 13. A sinker partition ifor use in a circular knitting machine between adjacent FSi-IikQIS thereof, said partition being of predetermined thickness throughout a major portion of its total area, and. a relatively thicker portion on each partition adjacent one vertical marginal edge portion thereof, and provided with converging opposite side surfaces for contact with adjacent sinker surfaces respectively, an extended'toe on 

